Detectives find hash lab while searching for marijuana grow

Following a marijuana tip, officers with the Eureka Police Department's Problem Oriented Policing Unit found a grow, a hash lab and a suspect to arrest on Tuesday.

Officers with EPD's Problem Oriented Policing Unit served a search warrant at the 2000 block of C Street in response to a tip about a possible marijuana grow operation, according to an EPD press release.

Joseph Alverez, 29, was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, marijuana cultivation, possession of a controlled substance for sales and maintaining a residence for manufacturing or providing a controlled substance, according to the release.

During the search, detectives discovered a hash manufacturing lab inside the residence and a marijuana grow inside the garage. About 105 marijuana plants, 7 pounds of processed marijuana and about one ounce of hash were seized, according to the release.

Several hundred highly explosive butane canisters, likely used in the hash making process, were found scattered throughout the house.

Electricity at the residence was disconnected by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. due to unsafe wiring associated with the marijuana grow.

Anyone with information concerning suspected dug activity or other nuisances in the city is encouraged to call the Problem Oriented Policing Unit at (707) 441-4373.